House building picks up in Winchester, says city council

WINCHESTER City Council has said house building in Winchester is on track, despite the prolonged recession.

In 2013/14 the council has projected 357 dwellings to be built, which is the highest number since 2010/2011 where a number of large schemes saw numbers increase to 503 houses.

Cllr Victoria Weston, Portfolio Holder for Built Environment, said: “The level of house completions fluctuates according to the state of the economy and major developments do not happen every year, but in the Winchester district the level over the past five years is consistent with our Core Strategy – Local Plan Part 1.

“The council can demonstrate adequate supply of deliverable housing sites to allow the rate of housing completions to increase and all the signs are that this is happening.”

The year 2012/13 saw the lowest number of houses built across the district, including the area covered by South Downs National Park, in the five year plan, with just 204.

There are major projects in the pipeline for the coming year, and the council remains optimistic.